The FA signed Hodgson to a four-year contract which runs through the 2016 European Championships. His work begins immediately, as England will participate in this summer's European Championships.

Hodgson becomes the first-ever England manager to take the job having had previous experience at the international level. He led Switzerland to the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also had stints in charge of the United Arab Emirates (2002-04) and Finland (2005-07).

His 36-year coaching career has seen him manage clubs in Sweden, England, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and Norway. These include stops an Italian giant, Inter Milan, and Liverpool FC.

England's Euro 2012 campaign begins in just over six weeks. Hodgson said he will name his squad at the end of the Premier League season. Enagland has two friendlies — at Norway on May 26 and home against Belgium on June 2 — before it begins the tournament on June 11 against France.